With so many holiday markets in town & here at the Gladstone we thought we’d have a chat with Gail Glatt, creater of Mondo Bazaar, which has been around for ten years!

Gladstone Hotel:What made you start Mondo Bazaar ten years ago and why is the Gladstone a good fit for it?

Gail Glatt: Ten years ago when I started the Mondo Bazaar market, it was frankly, all about me. My love of shopping, my love of selling and the pleasure I took in organizing events and parties. Living in downtown west, I was drawn to the Gladstone Hotel and became compelled to plan something…anything..to use that magnificent Ballroom space.

I had been hosting home kitchen sales for a number of years that included not only local artisans and designers, but entrepreneurs bringing fabulous items from distant lands. Sometimes a massage therapist friend operated out of an adjacent room to enhance the shopping experience. The events became very popular. Clearly, it was time for expansion. The first Mondo Bazaar took place in the building prior to the first major renovation, making it a particularly interesting and authentic venue.

From a one room affair with 15 vendors in the early days, to this year’s two day holiday event with more than 60 booths throughout the weekend, this holiday sale has become a popular alternative to the larger artisan shows that are not always affordable or accessible to all. Admission has always been free and vendors provide items to giveaway all day long through draws…with no purchase necessary.

Gladstone Hotel: What’s the best thing about Mondo Bazaar?

Gail Glatt: The real story here though is the vendors themselves. They range from first timers to those who own their own shops or exhibit in major shows. A few years ago I started a “yooth booth” section and gave free booths to kids who wanted to try their hand at selling their home made treasures. Now several of these youth have been successful enough to rent their own booth at the event. There are also vendors who who work corporate jobs by day but explore their artistic side during off hours, by putting their home made products out there. Others have found their passion unexpectedly, through travel, inspiration from others or experiences in their lives. A fantastic diversity of products and people.

Nola Grimes

Gladstone Hotel: What can people expect to find at this year’s Mondo Bazaar?

Gail Glatt: Items for sale include anything from edibles, kids clothing, jewellery, body products, home décor, up-cycled clothing, ceramic, paper design – and the list goes on and on. Mostly it is a mix of eco-friendly, local and organic, with a little fair trade thrown in.

Every vendor has a story to tell related to the source of their materials, how they discovered their own talent and what the challenges and successes have been in getting to where they are. Mostly though, one is struck by the satisfaction they feel in sharing their gifts with others.

Local food is what we’re all about and we’re proud of our neighbours at the West End Food Co-op for opening their doors on the weekend!

For only $5 you can become a member and enjoy shopping at a place that is committed to bringing more healthy and culturally appropriate food to Toronto’s West End, and creating a hub for food change. Local & organic foods are plentiful, and they’re asking for more of what the community wants to see. So if you’re there jot down your fave products for them to find.

With a commercial kitchen on the premises they also sell their own sauces, salsa & pickled items. We grabbed a jar of pickled garlic scapes before they’re gone! While we were there the kitchen was whipping up a batch of pears in cardamom syrup.

Worried it might be a fancy new organic store that’s out of your budget? Check this, a dozen free range eggs is only $4.49 at the co-op, compared to $5.79 around the corner at Freshco. How ya like that?

The store is currently open Thursday & Friday 11-7pm, and Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm.

Yes, even our bath amenities are green! From the Verbena Facial Soap to the Body Lotion, all our bath products are cruelty free, Canadian-made, natural and organic products packaged in recycled material containers from Canadian supplier, Pharmacopia.

Pairing with Pharmacopia to bring our guests authentic and indulgent products made from pure ingredients produced sustainably, locally and organically whenever possible is totally green, but it’s not the full limit of our greenness.

To finish off this green start, we collect all gently used soaps and lotions and donate them to the nearby Good Shepperd Centre. The items provided to the Good Shepperd help thousands of homeless men who use the Centre to stay clean, healthy and dry.